Hospitals in Derby are currently treating 29 confirmed cases of influenza, and a further five suspected cases are undergoing testing.

This comes after reports across the country of a sharp rise in the number of people reporting flu-like symptoms.

However, Public Health England has said that the recent rise in cases is "in-keeping" with previous years. And neither it nor local medics can say if there have been any cases in Derby of the virulent new strain known as "Aussie flu".

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The Trust is urging Derbyshire residents not to go to hospital if they feel slightly unwell, and should only go if they have a chronic condition like diabetes or heart disease and get the flu or an unusually severe headache or abdominal or chest pain.

You can check which Derbyshire medical centres are busy or quiet with the following widget:

A Public Health England (PHE) spokesperson said: “Flu activity, as measured by a number of different systems, has continued to increase in the last week or two. This is to be expected as the season progresses, and while no two flu seasons are the same, the numbers are in-keeping with previous years.

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“Symptoms of flu include sudden onset of fever, cough as well as sore throat, aching muscles and joints. The best advice is to rest, keep warm and drink plenty of water. We also recommend people take paracetamol or ibuprofen to lower a high temperature and relieve aches if necessary.”

Dr Paul Wood, chair of NHS Southern Derbyshire Clinical Commissioning Group, which covers Derby, said: “The flu vaccine is the best defence we have and it isn’t too late to get vaccinated.

“People suffering with flu-like symptoms should catch coughs or sneezes in tissues and bin them immediately, wash their hands regularly with soap and warm water, and frequently clean regularly-used surfaces.

“Flu will usually sort itself out, although you will feel very ill for a few days, but it can be very serious in some people so if you develop sudden chest pain, have difficulty breathing, or start coughing up blood then call 999 immediately.”